dawntwister

I made a strip for my 29 gallon tank that cost $53.
Items:
3 undercounter light plant strips (lightsofamerica) $10
1 philips sunlight bulb $10
1 long plastic flower box $ 8
mylar (from user at this forum) $ 5

With rug tape taped mylar in the box. With bolts and nuts put the lightstrips in the box and box sits upside down over hood.

Afterwards found out that lightsofamerica lights are not dependable. In fact got lightsofamerica to replace 1 light after 3 months. So far have had it running since Jan, 08 and no problems.

I plan to combine it with a light fixture that I bought on EBay for $50. Ebay light strip is slightly used but bought it for a 1/3 of selling price. Unfortunately the fans on the fixture are to loud. I am planning to replace the fans. Just haven't gotten to that yet.

dawntwister

After 8 months noticed only the java fern were growing well.
From what I had read I thought it work but not good after all.

The philips bulb was 6500K Daylight White Color

Now have a satellite light system made by current-usa which has a Dual 65 Watt 6,700K/10,000K Daylight bulb. Everything is growing. Growth is more bushy on top, thus light probably isn't being reflected to the bottom.

chagovatoloco

Using a flower box... creative. It has the right shape and can be painted easily.

dawntwister

Thanks!!

I had decided on the plastic flower box for I have allergies that would be aggravated if I shellacked a wood box.

dawntwister

I have revived the experiment to see if I can lower my electric bill. This time replaced plant grow bulb with Zoo Med super daylight bulb and made a reflector. Replace 65 watt PC bulb March 28. April 15 added charcoal to the substrate to help plants to adjust.

Cost;
2 Under counter light strips --- $ 20
Philips bulb ------------------------- $ 10
Zoo Med bulb ---------------------- $ 13
Metal gutter ------------------------ $10
Black spray paint ---------------- $ 4
White spray paint ---------------- $ 4
Total -----------------------------------$ 61

When the philips bulb dies I will replace it with an aquatic bulb I saw at Lowe's for $8.

Results are:
All of the original plants are growing.
Ludwiga, which almost died, starting growing.
Foxtail plant planted May 1 is struggling.
May 9 got Myriophyllum mattogrossense and star grass. The star grass is struggling but the other is growing

WhiteDevil

Im contemplating the same thing, but going to use wood with sheet metal tape inside for a reflector, have a ballast for each bulb, It can only be 6" wide and 24" long.

I am trying to get two 65W bulbs in there, got metal halide ballasts to work with so Im sure I can make this work and work well, I am however also wanting to go down the CFL screw in route and have 4 bulbs, 2 day 2 night. each on their own ballasts and their own switches mounted opposite of eachother, one finger wave and it shuts one or the other on and off.

I am thinking I can get mine done for the price of the bulbs.

WhiteDevil

Not only am I broke but I got a wife what wont hush about me and the way I care for my tank. She thinks ideas and a little MacGyver-ism cost money.

dawntwister

Read 1 diy project where CFL bulbs were used for a large tank. He said that the bulbs get hot and since they are twisted there is the loss of light to think of.

The reflector is suppose to be a specific angle to get max light. I didn't have room for the paranglar shape. One side is L shape and the other is a half v shape. It seems to be working. I am not certain if it is worth the cost, though.

If you are really tight for money, I read 1 used mirrors to direct light into the tank.

WhiteDevil

the bulbs are twisted but like you said its about reflection.

I always CAD my ideas before I construct them so I will have a form of a blueprint to follow

dawntwister

Pictures of diy fixture

Front view


Right side


Left side


If you make it cheaper for a similar size tank post it, please.